Joseph Gonzalez held on $1 million bail for allegedly torching Springfield house where estranged girlfriend, 1-year-old child lived

The Republican photo by Greg Saulmon11.15.2010 | SPRINGFIELD - The home at 85 Rochelle Street, destroyed in an arson fire Saturday morning.

SPRINGFIELD - Joseph W. Gonzalez, of Holyoke, is being held on $1 million cash bail following his arraignment Thursday on charges he burned down the house where his former girlfriend and their 1-year-old child lived.

Gonzalez, 28, pleaded innocent to arson of a dwelling and threatening to commit bodily injury in Springfield District Court.

Besides setting $1 million cash bail, an unusually high figure for district court, Judge William J. Boyle scheduled a show cause hearing for Dec. 14.

Gonzalez was arrested Wednesday night by city police and officers with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, four days after fire destroyed a house at 85 Rochelle St. where his girlfriend and their child live.

The couple had an argument about 45 minutes before the fire started, according to police.

Joseph W. Gonzalez

Gonzalez is accused of pouring an accelerant on the porch of the house and lighting it at about 10 a.m. Saturday, police said. The blaze destroyed the house, but none of the 10 people living there was injured.